A beloved Thai musician, Nichanon Kittikroekphon, was killed during a family celebration in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on September 21. The incident has deeply affected the local community and the musician’s fan base in Thailand.
Kittikroekphon, 34, better known by his stage name Tswb Moua, was at a gathering of around 30 people celebrating recent family births when his cousin, 32-year-old Lue Chang, shot him. The tragic event took place in the backyard of a residence on the 8400 block of Adair Avenue North.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office reported in the criminal complaint that witnesses saw Chang, who seemed upset, having a brief conversation with Kittikroekphon before the shooting. Chang then reportedly told Kittikroekphon, “Today, you’re going to die,” and proceeded to pull out a handgun, firing several shots.
Brooklyn Park Police Detective Sergeant Dane Olson confirmed that Kittikroekphon was unarmed and did not pose a threat to Chang. “The victim fell to the ground after the initial shots, and the suspect fired a third shot into his back as he tried to crawl away,” said Olson.
Several men at the event swiftly subdued Chang and took his weapon, while others dialed 911. Upon arrival, police found Chang restrained by family members and secured the gun.
Kittikroekphon was immediately transported to North Memorial Health Hospital in grave condition but later succumbed to his injuries. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.
When questioned about his reason for shooting, Chang allegedly told a witness that he shot Kittikroekphon “because he disrespected me,” as per the affidavit. The exact nature of this alleged disrespect is not clear at this time.
The shooting happened in the vicinity of several children, including a toddler who was reportedly within a foot of Kittikroekphon when the gunfire started. Remarkably, no other injuries were reported.
Chang was apprehended at the scene and is currently detained at the Hennepin County Jail with a $1 million bond. He is charged with second-degree murder and could face up to 40 years of imprisonment if convicted. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 21.
The incident has deeply affected the local Hmong community and the Thai music industry. Kittikroekphon, as described by the Hmong Talk Facebook page, was a “rising star in Thailand’s music scene” and had recently relocated to the United States to join his brother.
Friends and family members remember Kittikroekphon as a gifted artist with a promising future. He reportedly moved to Minnesota in hopes of a better life and was expecting his first child with his wife, who had also recently migrated to the U.S.
As the investigation is ongoing, authorities are encouraging anyone with more information about the incident to come forward. The Brooklyn Park Police Department has established a dedicated tip line for this case and assures the public that all information will be treated confidentially.
Meanwhile, Kittikroekphon’s fans in Thailand and the United States are sharing tributes and memories on social media, emphasizing the wide-spread impact of this tragic incident.